Tony McCoy was once adamant he would be retired from riding at 40. Now, 18
months from that landmark, he is not so sure. Indeed, propelled onwards by
elevated ambitions, increasing fulfilment, this perennial champion of jump
racing has just the one regret. “I wish my body would let me be a Flat
jockey,” he said. “Then I could ride until I was 50.”

It was McCoy who persuaded Graham Lee to make such a switch this year, and
with stunning success. “I’d like to have done the same,” he revealed. “I
don’t know if I’d have got so much